Com/156 Jesus de los Santos In today’s world there is an extremely large amount of social maladies. Some of these social illnesses and conditions are obvious while others tend to be less conspicuous and very subtle. But one malady stands out in my opinion for various reasons, but before I state those reasons I must state that the social condition which is the topic of my essay; and that condition would be that of drug addiction. There are many things that can be said about drug addiction, but I’ll settle with saying this, “Drug addiction is a serious problem throughout the world, but with so many treatment options available, we can truly say that drug addiction, despite being a serious issue, is one of the few world-wide problems that we can manage effectively.” Now, I realize that managing the issue, in itself, is something that is already hard to handle, but with the amount of deaths we deal with per year that are caused by drug overdoses alone constantly climbing, an estimated 37,485 the year 2009 in the United States, my statement should automatically convey the simple message that drug addiction is a serious problem in today’s society and one that merits immediate attention. Furthermore, without immediate intervention the number of deaths from drug overdoses will continue to rise on an alarming and seemingly interminable rate. Now to truly understand this topic I’ll simply begin by stating some of the generally accepted common causes for drug addiction.

Drug addiction, or a state in which a person develops a physical dependence on a drug or drugs, is a very common problem in today’s society. There are many causes and risks that can lead someone to becoming dependent on drugs. Myriad people start using drugs for various reasons; some of these reasons being problematic family histories, lack of family involvement, environmental pressures, psychological pressures, peer pressure, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and the most obvious, taking a highly addictive drug ‘just to try it,. When a child grows up watching family members using drugs, that child will have higher risks of becoming a drug addict, because they will think it’s a normal behavior, since they have been exposed to drug abuse at home. Others might start consuming drug to avoid their personal problems, and others when they are depress, anxiety or when they feel lonely. Another common cause that leads to drug abuse is peer pressure: peer pressure starts when teens are around their friends or after school, if their friends use drugs, they are more likely do use drugs to fit into the group. And vice versa if you refuse to use drugs you could end up isolating yourself from everyone, because you will be considers being uncool.

“According to Quetta Kaye, from the university of London, and Scott Fitzpatrick, an archeologist from north Carolina state university, researchers found equipment use to prepare hallucinogenic drugs for sniffing, and dated them back to prehistoric South American tribes". Ever since the existence of drugs, many more kinds of drugs have been discovered or created. The most common illegal drugs consume around the world are: heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, LSD ( lysergic acid diethylamide), ecstasy, opium, cannabis known as marijuana in its herbal form, psilocybin mushrooms, and (PCP) or better named “angel dust or super grass. There are also many types of legal drugs, which are sometimes prescribe, bought over the counter, and found at a nearby store. These drugs can also cause a person to become dependent on that type of drug, and can even lead to death if the person becomes an addict. Some legal drugs are: prescribe amphetamine, tranquilizers, pain killers, OxyContin, alcohol, and many others. There is also another type of legal drug called solvents that can...

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...Drugaddiction is a pathological or abnormal condition which arises due to frequent drug use. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli.
Causes
Drugs known to cause addiction include illegaldrugs as well as prescription or over-the-counter drugs, according to the definition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
• Stimulants:
o Amphetamine and methamphetamine
o Cocaine
o Nicotine
• Sedatives and hypnotics:
o Alcohol
o Barbiturates
o Benzodiazepines, particularly flunitrazepam, triazolam, temazepam, and nimetazepam
o Methaqualone and the related quinazolinone sedative-hypnotics
• Opiate and opioid analgesics
o Morphine and codeine, the two naturally occurring opiate analgesics
o Semi-synthetic opiates, such as heroin (diacetylmorphine), oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone
o Fully synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, meperidine/pethidine, and methadone
HEROIN-
The German drug company Bayer named its new over the counter drug "Heroin" in 1895.[7] The name was derived from the German word...

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Alcohol and illicit drug consumption are all too prevalent today in high schools, colleges, and all across the globe. Students seeking to fit in or forget about the repetitiveness of school and homework have a tendency to experiment. Drugaddiction is known by the scientific community to be a psychological condition based on excessive, obsessive, and compulsive actions. Once that regular user crosses the line into addiction their only concern is their self and their life revolves around the getting, using, and finding ways and means to get and use more. Most people start using drugs and alcohol occasionally, which is a voluntary decision, however, the more they choose to use, the more they become addicted. As the addiction grows they become physically and emotional dependent on the substance; they become a compulsive user and their drug use gets out of control. Addiction is defined as a chronic relapsing of the brain that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. At this point, drug use does not produce a “high”; instead, the user keeps taking the drug to stave off painful withdrawal symptoms such as fever, cramps, violent nausea, and depression. Although there is much debate about...

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When people hear the words drug addict, these words have negative connotations and stigmas attached to them. People visualize a person who does not care about anything, including family, work, or commitments, except for obtaining money to buy drugs to get high. However, there are many people who are drug addicts that maintain a normal, functional life. Most people who aredrug addicts would give anything to kick the habit; they do not enjoy the high anymore. The problem is, they can’t. Addiction, defined by Webster, is a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. So, if the addicts want to stop, why can’t they? Is drugaddiction a disease or habit? Drug dependency takes a long course from action to habits to compulsion.
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DrugAddiction
Growing up in a household with my parents fading in and out of our lives, just like a loose light bulb would flicker, could be part of the reason why my brother is addicted to drugs. Constantly arguing at each other over what I thought at the time were the littlest things in life, I believe led to a younger brother choosing the wrong path to tranquility.
My younger brother is 32 years old and has had adrug problem for at least the last 10 to 12 years. It started out with just drinking at parties and progressed to drugs. His problem has escalated to the point that he does not pay his bills and barely keeps a job. He has been arrested more than once on a drug related charge and is now awaiting a hearing. I am very worried about him because even after being arrested and spending several days in jail, he still chooses to be involved with drugs. Up to this point, either my parents or I have always been there to bail him out financially or otherwise, but I have finally decided that until he makes the choice to straighten himself out, I can no longer offer any support to him. I have tried to convince him to get help, but he is always quick to tell me that he agrees with me and is going to stop on his own.
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...﻿INTRODUTION
Drugaddiction is the chronic disease affecting the brain, and just everyone is different. Drug affect different ways. One person can take and abuse drugs, yet never become addicted, while another merely has one experience and is immediately hooked. Addiction explain and is charactererized by a person having to used the drugs repeatedly, regardless of the damage it does to their health, family career, and their rrelationshipwith friends and the community. Addiction is not limited to drugs a nd alcohol. People can be addicted to many things, such as food, gambling, shopping or most anything that gets in the way of a healthy lifestyle.when things get out of hand, and people behave compulsively, regardless of the consequences. A person is n longer in charge of their life, regardless of the triggering mechanism, they are addicted. The addictin can take over the person s entire life. Nothing else matter.
DRUGADDICTION
People abuse substance such as drugs alcohol, and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. The toll for this abuse can be seen our hospitals and emergency departments through direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical trauma. Jails and prisons tally daily the strong connection between crime and...

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Your Name Here
School Name
COM 150 Expository Essay
Allison Howry
February 3, 2008
Thesis
Addiction is defined as an overuse of any substance that changes the natural chemical balance of the brain. It is generally agreed upon that addiction includes biological, psychological, and behavioral factors.
Introduction
Addictions are very dangerous emotionally, psychologically, and physically. There are three main points to an addiction - the actual addiction and the symptoms, the addiction cycle (downhill spiral), and how to treat or where to treat an addiction. This essay will outline the main points for an addict and will serve as a guide for an addict or family of an addict.
Addictions are very dangerous for a person, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. There three main points to an addiction, the actual addiction and the symptoms, the addiction cycle (downhill spiral), and how to treat or where to treat an addiction. This essay will hopefully outline the main points for an addict and will hopefully serve as a guide for an addict or family of an addict.
AddictionAddiction is defined as an overuse of any substance that changes the natural...